as he was going up the stairs his mother met him
half-way and embraced and kissed him, saying, "My son, my jewel, the
apple of my eye, where have you been and why have you stayed away so
long to make us all die with anxiety?" The Prince knew not what to
answer, for he did not wish to tell her of his misfortunes; but no
sooner had his mother kissed him than, owing to the curse, all that had
passed went from his memory. Then the Queen told her son that to put an
end to his going hunting and wasting his time in the woods, she wished
him to get married. "Well and good," replied the Prince, "I am ready
and prepared to do what you desire." So it was settled that within four
days they should lead home to him the bride who had just arrived from
the country of Flanders; and thereupon a great feasting and banquets
were held.

But meanwhile Filadoro, seeing that her husband stayed away so long and
hearing (I know not how) of the feast, waited in the evening till the
servant-lad of the inn had gone to bed, and taking his clothes from the
head of the bed, she left her own in their place, and disguising
herself like a man, went to the court of the king, where the cooks,
being in want of help, took her as kitchen boy. When the tables were
set out and the guests all took their seats, and the dishes were set
down and the carver was cutting up a large English pie which Filadoro
had made with her own hands, lo, out flew such a beautiful dove that
the guests in their astonishment, forgetting to eat, fell to admiring
the pretty bird, which said to the Prince in a piteous voice, "Have you
so soon forgotten the love of Filadoro, and have all the services you
received from her, ungrateful man, gone from your memory? Is it thus
you repay the benefits she has done you: she who took you out of the
claws of the ogress and gave you life and herself too? Woe to the woman
who trusts too much to the words of man, who ever requites kindness
with ingratitude, and pays debts with forgetfulness. But go, forget
your promises, false man. And may the curses follow you which the
unhappy maiden sends you from the bottom of her heart. But if the gods
have not locked up their ears they will witness the wrong you have done
her, and when you least expect it the lightning and thunder, fever and
illness, will come to you. Enough, eat and drink, take your sports, for
unhappy Filadoro, deceived and forsaken, will leave you the field open
to make merry with your new w